Under-17s European Qualifying: Ireland will be without two of their brightest stars this evening (7.0) at Richmond Park where a win over Israel could be enough for Seán McCaffrey's under-17 side to secure a place at May's European Championship finals in Luxembourg.
In the wake of Monday's night slightly strange 4-0 defeat of Romania the Irish would progress if they win this evening and Romania manage a draw or better in this afternoon's meeting with Serbia and Montenegro at Belfield Park.
McCaffrey's side will, however, be without Donal McDermott for the game with the gifted Manchester City left winger suspended after picking up a booking at Dalymount Park to go with one carried over from the preliminary stages of the qualifying competition last year.
Spurs striker Terry Dixon, meanwhile, has an outside chance of making the bench but ongoing difficulties with a knee injury will keep him out of the home side's starting line-up.
The Irish are likely to start Garry Breen in central defence with Michael Spillane pushing forward into central midfield and Celtic's Graham Carey, a goal scorer on Monday, switching to the left where he will replace McDermott. Cillian Sheridan may also be rewarded for the impact he made after coming on against the Romanians with a place in the starting 11 this evening.
"They're a big, strong side but we know the Israelis are well beatable if we can produce our best but we have to up the tempo and cleverness of our game from Monday night," says McCaffrey.
"The win over Romania was a great start for us, though, and the lads are anxious to capitalise on the result by winning this game and, if the other result goes our way, wrapping up a place at the European finals."
